In Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, Samus's Missile Launcher can only fire one on-screen Missile at a time. Therefore, it can rapidly fire when close to a target, but otherwise has a much slower rate of fire than her standard Beam weapons. Starting in Super Metroid, the Missile Launcher in 2D side-scrolling Metroid titles can rapid-fire missiles from any distance. In comparison, the rate of fire in the Metroid Prime games is considerably slower.

It is revealed in Corruption by use of the X-Ray Visor that the reloading mechanism for the Missile Launcher is actually operated manually by Samus turning her hand inside the arm cannon, performing the turning motion of the open barrel seen every time Samus fires a missile. However, this action is not performed in Metroid Prime. In Metroid: Other M, Samus pumps her Arm Cannon after each Missile, similar to a shotgun.

Samus can increase her Missile Launcher's capacity with Missile Expansions, and replenish ammo with Missile Ammo dropped from destroyed objects and enemies. Other M is the first Metroid game to introduce a missile supply that can be reloaded and replenished if Samus is low on missiles by holding the Wii Remote vertically, and pressing and holding the A button until her stock is replenished. This technique is known as Concentration, and can also be used to restore energy at dangerously low levels.

In Fusion, it is heavily implied that the Missile Launcher is not closely integrated to Samus's body in comparison to her Beam weapons; this is apparent when the cold attributes of the Ice Beam are initially incompatible with Samus's new genetic make-up, while her Ice Missiles, outfitted with subzero properties, seem to have no repercussions against her.

It should also be noted that there have been a total of four different ways the Arm Cannon morphs when using the Missile Launcher:

In Metroid, the Power Suit's green visor and highlights turn a turquoise color. The Varia Suit has the suit change colors to a reddish-violet as well when Missiles are armed. The Justin Bailey outfit, when Samus has not yet acquired the Varia Suit, has her hair turn blonde.

The second version is shown in most games, in which the barrel of the Arm Cannon splits open. This was first introduced due to the monochromatic Return of Samus introducing a new way to visually distinguish the Missile Launcher from Samus's normal Arm Cannon. It is revealed in Metroid Prime 2 that the arm cannon nozzle rotates when doing this.

The third version is depicted in Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime Hunters, in which the nozzle splits into four pieces around the barrel in the form of an X.

The fourth version is the formation unique to the arm cannon in Fusion, where the two outer pieces separate and the interior piece expands slightly.

Beginning in Metroid Prime, the Missile Launcher can be used in tandem with the Charge Beam to unleash a powerful Charge Combo.

In Metroid Prime Hunters, the Missile Launcher is considered Samus's Affinity Weapon. When Samus fires a charged missile, it deals more damage and gains a slight homing effect. In comparison, other Bounty Hunters' missiles have no tracking effect.

Dark Samus has her own Missile Launcher in Echoes, which can fire standard Missiles and Super Missiles. This is also demonstrated in her appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series; the Missiles' organic design in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate suggests that she may be biologically producing these projectiles through her Missile Launcher.

"Switch to Missiles to destroy more powerful enemies and remove blockages. Lock on to an enemy in your target display to launch a guided Missile. Unlike Beams, Missiles have a limited supply. Increase stock by locating Missile Expansions."

"This item rests on a ledge that appears to be too high to access by jumping."

Metroid Prime series Inventory data

Missile Launcher

Metroid Prime

Inventory entry

The Missile Launcher adds ballistic weapon capability to the Arm Cannon.Press / to fire the Missile Launcher. Press / to return to Beam mode. Target and lock on with / to fire a Homing Missile.[1]

Samus's Notes

Missiles fired with a lock-on will seek their targets.Missiles can destroy objects made from Radion or Brinstone.There are Charge Combo enhancements scattered throughout the environment. They use the Missile Launcher and the Charge Beam in tandem to fire more effective blasts.Each Missile Expansion you find will increase the number of Missiles you can carry by 5.

This article, section, or file contains text that is unofficially translated by Metroid fans. Some information (such as proper English names of characters or items) may not be accurate. If an official translation becomes available, the fan translation(s) may be replaced.

"Has the ability to create a Missile by gathering chemicals and elements from the area surrounding the user."

"Launches explosive-tipped MISSILES that detonate in a percussive blast. This standard-issue weapon is extremely effective in dealing with biological threats. Hold the FIRE button to charge the weapon and cause the MISSILE to seek heat signatures. Charging will attract energy and ammo."

"Samus starts her mission on SR388 with a Missile Launcher and a decent-sized missile count. Missiles—along with the Ice Beam—are your primary means of damaging Metroids, but they’re also excellent for dealing with most of the planet’s other hostile types. You find a metric ton of Missile Tank Upgrades on this planet, so don’t be afraid to utilize these projectiles with reckless abandon."

In the Metroid Prime games, Missiles have a slower rate of fire than their variants in the 2-D Metroid games. However, this can be remedied by rapidly pressing and alternating constantly between the buttons that shoot the Missiles and Beams, respectively. This technique is called the Rapid Fire Missiles. An example of this can be seen here.

Although the Missile Launcher is said to be Samus's Affinity Weapon in Hunters, the Missile Launchers in Echoes and Corruption seem to be of Galactic Federation origin.

Throughout the Super Smash Bros. series, one of Samus's alternate costumes is a pink suit with a blue visor and highlights. Although Masahiro Sakurai has stated that this costume is officially based on the Gravity Suit from Super Metroid (which does not have a blue visor or highlights), it more closely resembles the Varia Suit's Missile Launcher mode from Metroid.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Samus's visor and highlights turn blue when she uses the Missile Launcher. This is a clear reference to the Missile Launcher's original appearance in Metroid.